I'm back in Silverclaw territory, but it feels like I'm sneaking into enemy land. The familiar scent of pine and earth wraps around me, but it's soured by the knot in my stomach. My wrist burns where the crescent mark pulses, a reminder that I'm tied to Kael Draven, the banished Alpha I left at the edge of neutral territory. I told him to stay put, that I had to face my pack alone, and those gray eyes of his burned with frustration. He wanted to come with me, said it wasn't safe, but I shut that down quick. The Silverclaws would rip him apart before he could say "curse," and I'm not about to let my home turn into a slaughterhouse. The mate bond's tugging at me, though, a sharp ache that makes me want to run back to him, and it's driving me up the wall. I'm Lila Thorn, tracker, not some heartsick pup, but Kael's face—scarred, haunted—keeps flashing in my mind.
I pull my leather jacket tighter, hiding the mark, and head for the village. My boots crunch on the forest path, and I keep my senses sharp, half-expecting a Blackfang scout to jump me. That enchanted chain they swung at me in the pass still has me rattled—Isolde's magic, Kael said. If she's got eyes on us, I need to be careful. My plan's simple: slip into the lodge, act like I didn't just run off with a cursed Alpha, and figure out how much Torin knows. If he's caught wind of my mark, I'm in deep trouble, but I'm not letting him chain me up like some traitor.
The village is alive when I get there, wolves moving like they're gearing up for war. The Blackfang threat's got everyone twitchy, and I can feel it in the air, heavy as a storm. I keep my head down, aiming for the main lodge, but Mara's voice stops me cold. "Lila!" She's running toward me, her blonde hair flying, her hazel eyes wide with worry and something sharper—betrayal, maybe. "Where the hell have you been? Jace is freaking out, and Torin's ready to skin you."
My gut twists. Mara's my best friend, the one who's always had my back, but lying to her about the mark feels like swallowing glass. "I needed to clear my head," I say, forcing a grin. "Got caught up tracking a scent near the border. No big deal."
She grabs my arm, her grip tight enough to bruise. "No big deal? Torin's got patrols out looking for you. He's acting like you're working with the Blackfangs or something." Her eyes flick to my wrist, and I tense, praying my sleeve holds. "You're not telling me something, Lila. I know you."
I pull free, my heart pounding. "I'm fine, Mara. Just drop it, okay? I'll handle Torin." I hate the edge in my voice, but the elders' warning—tell no one—is like a drumbeat in my head. If Mara finds out about Kael, she'll panic, and I can't risk her spilling to the pack.
Her face falls, hurt flashing in her eyes, but I can't fix it now. I turn and head for the lodge, my steps heavy. Inside, it's all woodsmoke and warmth, but the air's thick with tension. Torin's there, standing by a table littered with maps, his blond hair catching the light, his blue eyes cold as ice. He's 35, all muscle and authority, and right now, he's looking at me like I'm a rogue he needs to put down.
"Lila Thorn," he says, his voice a growl that silences the room. "Care to explain where you've been?"
I square my shoulders, meeting his stare head-on. "Tracking," I say, keeping my voice steady. "Thought I caught a Blackfang scent near the border. Turned out to be nothing."
His eyes narrow, and I know he smells the lie. Torin's got a nose for bullshit, and I'm not exactly a master at playing innocent. "Nothing," he says, stepping closer, his boots thudding on the wooden floor. "You vanish for hours, right when we're bracing for war, and it's nothing?"
My mark tingles, and I fight the urge to check my sleeve. "I'm a tracker, Torin. It's what I do. You want me to sit around knitting while the Blackfangs creep closer?"
A couple of wolves nearby chuckle, but Torin's face doesn't budge. He leans in, his voice low and dangerous. "You've always been trouble, Lila. But this isn't just about you. The Blackfangs are moving, and we can't afford disloyalty. If you're hiding something, I'll find out."
My pulse races, but I don't back down. "I'm not hiding anything. I'm here, ready to fight for the pack. Isn't that enough?"
He studies me, his blue eyes like knives, and I'm sure he's gonna call my bluff. Then he steps back, waving a hand. "Get to the training grounds. We're doubling patrols. And Lila? Don't make me regret giving you a chance."
I nod, my throat tight, and turn to leave. But Jace is there, blocking the door, his auburn hair a mess, his brown eyes full of worry. My big brother looks like he's aged a year overnight. "Lila, what's going on?" he asks, keeping his voice low so the others don't hear. "You've been off since your birthday. Tell me the truth."
Guilt hits me like a fist. Jace has always been my safe place, the one who patched me up after fights, who laughed when I sassed the elders. Lying to him feels like betraying family. "I'm okay," I say, forcing a smile. "Just stressed about the Blackfangs. I'll be fine, I promise."
He doesn't buy it—I can see it in the way his jaw tightens—but he lets it go, squeezing my shoulder. "Stay out of trouble, sis. I can't lose you."
I nod, my chest aching, and slip outside. The training grounds are a mess of sparring wolves, claws flashing, growls echoing. I should join them, play the loyal pack member, but my mark's burning, and Kael's face keeps popping into my head. That vision of him—bloodied, betrayed by Isolde's magic—won't let me go. I need to get back to him, to plan our next move, but Torin's got eyes everywhere, and one slip could land me in chains.
Mara catches up to me again, her face pale. "Lila, I heard Torin. He's not messing around. If you're in trouble, you need to tell me. I'm your best friend."
I stop, my heart twisting. I want to spill everything—about the mark, Kael, the curse that's turning my life upside down. But the words won't come. "Mara, I can't," I say, my voice softer than I want. "Not now. Just trust me, okay?"
Her eyes search mine, and I see the hurt there, but she nods. "Fine. But don't push me away forever."
I watch her go, feeling like the worst friend alive. My mark burns, and I know I can't stay here long. Kael's waiting, and the Blackfangs are coming. I slip into the trees, heading for the border where I left him. But as I move, a shadow shifts in the forest—a wolf, watching. My mark flares, and I know I'm not as safe as I thought.